Overview & Reviews

Kia Motors is a South Korean automaker that's relatively new to the United States. In its early years, Kia largely catered to budget-minded consumers with well-equipped vehicles priced below competing models. More recently, this growing brand has kept value a priority while also emphasizing technology and sportiness.

Founded in Korea in 1944, Kia started as a producer of steel tubing and bicycle parts. The company's name has its roots in the Chinese language, and means "to arise, to come up out of Asia." By the early 1950s, the company had produced Korea's first bicycle; by the latter part of the decade, Kia had branched out into motor scooters, with the rollout of the C100.

The 1960s saw Kia expanding its lineup to include motorcycles and three-wheeled cargo vehicles. Naturally, the next logical step was automobile production, and the company began moving in this direction in the early 1970s. By 1973, Kia had built a facility designed to make its automotive dreams a reality; its Sohari plant held the distinction of being Korea's first fully integrated automobile production facility, and went on to spawn Korea's first internal-combustion gasoline engine. A year later, Kia unveiled the Brisa, Korea's first passenger car. By the end of the decade, Kia's technology was being used to manufacture vehicles like the Peugeot 604 and the Fiat 132.

By the late '80s, Kia's lineup included new models like the Concord, Capital, Potentia and Pride. In 1987, Ford brought the Pride to U.S. shores, rebadging it as the Ford Festiva. Seven years later, Ford dealers got a replacement for the entry-level, subcompact Festiva in the form of another Kia constructed product, the Aspire.

Kia finally began selling vehicles in the U.S. under its own name in the early '90s, trumpeting its presence with the introduction of the compact Sephia. The car's rollout was gradual; in the early days of its production, the Sephia was only available in select Western states. By the mid-'90s, SUVs had emerged as a phenomenally popular and profitable vehicle segment. Kia responded with the 1995 Sportage, a compact SUV. By the end of the '90s, Kia's nationwide rollout was nearly complete.

Financial difficulties in the late '90s prevented Kia from expanding its lineup beyond those two models. Hyundai, South Korea's other major automaker, acquired the company in a merger in 1998.

Kia has been on a major upswing since its purchase by Hyundai, with improvements in build quality, performance and overall refinement. Reliability, previously a weak point, has also improved markedly and consumers' confidence was further bolstered by Kia's substantial warranty program. Today, Kia is on a dramatic upswing and offers a broad lineup of well-built coupes, sedans and crossovers that stand out for their value, performance and sporty styling.

User Reviews:

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  Depends on how you treat it - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By travisp11 - October 16 - 1:46 am

  We have had our Spectra for almost four years now and the only major problem we had it in for was the throttle position sensor. Yeah, it took four return trips to the dealership (175 miles away, ouch!) but eventually the throttle body was replaced under warranty. Honestly, if you follow routine service and dont treat it like a red-neck stepchild, you should get many years of good use out of it, just like any other car.

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  Kia Amanti a Great Car - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Walter - October 15 - 7:33 pm

  We had purchased a 2003 Kia van, enjoyed it and watched the reviews on the coming Amanti. We drove it, liked it and bought it. We have enjoyed the car. People stop use on a regular basis to ask what it is. It handles very well. No mechanical problems. The ride is great both in front and rear seats. It has nice features, phone plug ins in back and front. Heated seats, temperature control for passengers. Great car!

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  Kia Spectra - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Jdowns37 - October 14 - 2:00 am

  Slow Take off Speed Tire poor traction Lacks sporty look need two door version arm console weak needs beefed up

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  Quality - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Jasons Kia - October 14 - 2:00 am

  I love my KIA. Gas milage is pretty poor, but I knew that going in. I hated Thomas Kia in Highland Indiana, the place is a scam, they go back on their word. But, they had the car I was looking for. Great, purchase.

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  KIA - So far so good... - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Atrac - October 9 - 10:00 am

  I originally wanted a Daewoo, but was horrified to learn that they had filed for Bankruptcy a few years ago and the cars were "apparently" no longer available as new in the United States. I then set my sights on the KIA Spectra. I did have to take it in already to get it aligned, but other than that I like it! NOTE: I have since learned that Daewoo is really selling cars in the U.S., even today. Check out the Chevy Aveo, the Suzuki Forenza and Suzuki Verona -- they are all Daewoos!

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  Ill never buy another Kia! - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By syeats618 - October 5 - 3:11 pm

  I really love the look of my Sorento, however it has been a disappointment. The brake lights have gone out so many times Ive lost count, the headlights have burned out, interior lights have burned out, the windshield wiper fluid wont come out, the brakes have been replaced, the tires have been replaced and the jack is too small for the SUV. I had to use 3 different jacks from my neighbors just to clear the tire from the ground to change it. I have just over 61,000 miles on it so the warranty is now out and I have the windshield wiper issue and the light on my console is out. I dont know if its worth repairing but the sad thing is that I only have 1 more year before its paid off.

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  Good Improvement - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Georges Saade - October 5 - 8:20 am

  Its a 4 cyl. Aut, Steptronic. I like the features and the Traction Control. When you are inside you wonder if youre really in a small SUV. I think Kia has done a good Job! I dont really know a lot about the reliability but I guess its ok.

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  Best low cost to maintain & value mini-van I ever had! - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By sushiray - October 4 - 2:42 pm

  Had a 2004 EX till recently it was totaled in a rear end collision. Gr8 ride, gr8 comfort, gr8 entertainment system, gr8 value! Front wheel drive makes all the difference, plenty of room for carting kids or Home Depot supplies. Gr8 acceleration & driving stability. Only knock is the gas mileage was not very good but I changed my driving technique & went from 16mpg to almost 20 (19.8)mpg!

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  Chancing a KIA - 2005 Kia Optima
  By Walter Nowak - October 4 - 12:30 pm

  Our 2005 Optima is most impressive in terms of value versus performance/confidence in driving. It is quite comfortable driving with the manual adjustable lumbar and seat adjustments. We have a 5 speed with overdrive and, although it doesnt have the power I am used to, the mileage we get more the compensates for the lack in overtaking other vehicles on the open road. Now, dont get me wrong we cruise at 74 mph at a little of 3,000 RPMs very comfortably and experience much less road noise and vibration than the Corolla weve rented a number of times with intent to purchase. My wife and I realize the South Korean automakers are serious contenders in the market and our decision was sound.

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  Arizona dreaming - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By AZscout - September 27 - 2:26 pm

  Sports car that can go offroad, Arizona does run out of roads, The Sorento is great in the city but offroad even better. Runs great.